wfn.org | KOREA PRESBYTERIANS VOTE TO ORDAIN WOMEN

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

2-Jun-95

95179        KOREA PRESBYTERIANS VOTE TO ORDAIN WOMEN 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) has approved an 
amendment to its constitution that will allow the ordination of women as 
ministers and elders for the first time in 60 years. 
 
     The 51 presbyteries of the PCK voted 48-3 to ordain women as "teaching 
elders" (ministers) and 46-5 to ordain them as ruling elders. 
 
     The National Organization of Korean Presbyterian Women has set aside 
August 30, during its annual assembly, for a special service of 
"celebration and thanksgiving." 
 
     The PCK 1994 General Assembly approved the ordination amendment last 
September.  Two-thirds affirmative votes were needed by the presbyteries, a 
tally that had not been achieved in past years. 
 
     Unzu Lee, associate for women's advocacy in the Women's Ministries 
Program Area of the National Ministries Division, said, "I am hoping that 
this historic decision will have a ripple effect in the Korean American 
context here in the United States." 
 
 

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  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
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